Plants: 

• LEAF:  Desert plants have tiny and waxy leaves. The wax prevents water from escaping, and the glossy sheen reflects sunlight. Cacti have spiky thorns instead of leaves and store food in their stems. 

• ROOTS: Desert plant roots are adapted to grow into the soil in search of water as deserts don't contain much water. Desert plants have highly adapted taproots that grow deep (20-30 feet) into the ground to absorb underground water.

• STEM: The stems are used to transport and store water. Desert vegetation often differs from plants that grow in other environments or biomes. Desert plants grow in one of the harshest environments on Earth, and therefore benefit from special adaptations that help them to survive. These adaptations enable desert plants to survive and thrive in hot and dry desert conditions. Such adaptations of desert plants are described below.